As a connoisseur of Hollywood tales and a keen observer of the ever-evolving lives of celebrities, I find it fascinating to delve into the humble beginnings of our beloved stars. The journey from the small screen to the big one, or even to the royal family in Meghan Markle’s case, is a testament to their resilience and adaptability.
Acting in commercials is a timeless profession for actors. Regardless of whether you’re an Academy Award winner, an up-and-coming talent, or a newcomer, commercials provide a significant opportunity for actors to make their mark in the industry. From the Super Bowl to daily TV shows, it’s advantageous for both parties; businesses can showcase a well-known face endorsing their product, while actors receive generous compensation that can help them settle student debts or finish building their third vacation home.
Occasionally, you might spot familiar faces from TV ads who are also known as commercial actors. Yet, some of the most renowned figures in Hollywood have taken part in perplexing ad campaigns before they achieved stardom. It’s not uncommon to find famous personalities endorsing products for countries like Japan, but other stars made their debut in unusual commercials long before their rise to fame. At times, celebrities even chose roles that challenged their usual image purely for advertising purposes. Regardless of the reasons behind these actors accepting a commercial role, if you haven’t come across them before, they’ll undoubtedly leave an indelible impression now.
Arnold Schwarzenegger for Alinamin V
Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a highly diverse and successful career, moving effortlessly from being a globally recognized bodybuilder to a leading movie star, and even serving as California’s governor for eight years. However, one of the most surprising aspects of his career involves a series of commercials for a Japanese energy drink. Known for his numerous advertisements in Japan due to his global popularity, it’s fair to say that few would anticipate him portraying an evil spirit emerging from a bottle of Alinamin V.
Many viewers might wonder exactly what Alinamin V is guaranteeing in all those commercials, as they show Arnold Schwarzenegger either maniacally laughing surrounded by gold coins or helping an elderly woman cross a farm towards sunrise, which has nothing to do with the product itself. At best, it seems that Japanese TV viewers felt motivated to try Alinamin V due to Schwarzenegger’s celebrity endorsement, considering how frequently he appeared in these ads.
Courteney Cox for Tampax
Back in the day, around a decade before becoming everyone’s favorite Monica Geller on “Friends,” I, Courteney Cox, had some memorable moments as an up-and-coming actor. One such moment was a brief appearance in Bruce Springsteen’s music video for “Dancing in the Dark.” Fast forward a year, and lady luck smiled upon me again when I scored a leading role in a groundbreaking commercial for Tampax. Dressed casually in yoga gear of the era, I stood tall and proud behind tampons as a more hygienic choice compared to pads. What made this ad truly revolutionary was that it was the first time “period” was openly spoken about on national television. In fact, some networks refused to air it due to its bold subject matter at the time.
On “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” in 1996, Cox recalled responses to the commercial, stating, “I even received fan letters for a commercial that was never meant to be seen.” Despite her subsequent notable works since 1985, Cox remains mindful of her beginnings. In 2022, she recreated the Tampax ad on Instagram to discuss menopause struggles, amassing over a million likes.
Bryan Cranston for Preparation H
It can be quite disorienting to see an actor like Bryan Cranston in a show like “Malcolm in the Middle,” given how iconic the actor is now for playing the ruthless drug kingpin Walter White. Cranston’s transformation from childhood to “Breaking Bad” wasn’t without its fair share of weird day jobs, as many working actors can attest to. From a Mars Bar commercial that required him to learn to rappel off a mountain to a Shield deodorant ad where he dressed as a skunk, Cranston’s strangest commercial gig might have been a brief TV spot for Preparation H in the 1980s.
In the advertisement, Cranston appears as a blend between Walter White and Hal Wilkerson, promoting the “oxygen-infused relief” of Preparation H to combat hemorrhoidal swelling. On “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”, Cranston discussed his choice to accept the role, humorously explaining, “I rationalized it by saying, ‘I’m well-versed in hemorrhoids, but not a victim.'” Remarkably, he could still recall the commercial lines after more than 30 years, although he confessed that he remains baffled about what “oxygen action” entails.
Natalie Portman for Lux
At age 13, Natalie Portman made her screen debut in the film “Léon: The Professional,” which marked her big break in 1994. Over time, she solidified her status as a renowned actress with movies such as “Garden State,” “Black Swan,” and the “Star Wars” prequels, significantly altering both Portman’s career and her identity within the industry. However, even dedicated followers of Portman’s work may not have come across her series of ads for Lux, a Japanese shampoo company promoting their “Super Rich” line of products.
These advertisements indeed highlight Portman’s stunning hair, but they also weave their own narrative. In this tale, Portman arrives at an audition on a motorcycle, displays her exceptional sword-fighting abilities, and ultimately secures a role in a movie where her hair billows gracefully amidst the fight scenes. What might leave Hollywood insiders somewhat perplexed about these ads is their portrayal of the film industry as more glamorous than it typically is, as auditions rarely occur in such opulent settings. However, the crucial point is that Portman looks absolutely fantastic brandishing an épée, which seems to be the only aspect capturing the interest of Japanese audiences.
Paul Rudd for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
It might be equally astonishing to learn that Paul Rudd appeared in a commercial for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or that he seems not to have aged since then. Fans who are familiar primarily with his later roles in films like “Clueless” and TV series such as “Sisters” and “Friends” might not realize that Rudd had already begun his acting career by 1995, and even before that, promoting Nintendo’s transition to the 16-bit era following the success of their NES.
In the advertisement, Rudd appears as a teenage boy who secretly plays the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) on a colossal screen in a deserted lot. More teens gather around, captivated by watching Rudd play games like “F-Zero,” “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past,” and “Sim City.” It’s curious how this scene foreshadows the growth of competitive gaming. Let’s hope that Nintendo can leverage the viral impact of this commercial by inviting Rudd to star in an advertisement for their future console or perhaps cast him in the upcoming live-action “The Legend of Zelda” film.
Penelope Cruz for New Super Mario Bros. 2
Apart from Paul Rudd, other famous personalities have appeared in Nintendo commercials. Notably, Robin Williams, Annie Murphy, Brie Larson, and Penelope Cruz have all endorsed Nintendo products. However, among them, it’s Penelope Cruz who seems the most unexpected to star in a Nintendo ad, given her status as an Academy Award-winning actress for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Yet, even with her global recognition, Cruz is seen enjoying her leisure time by saving princesses and gathering coins in the advertisement for “New Super Mario Bros. 2” on the Nintendo 3DS XL.
In the ad, Cruz is playing “New Super Mario Bros. 2” on her 3DS XL before she’s joined by her sister, Monica, to compete in co-op mode. As punishment for losing against her younger sister, Penelope dons the iconic Super Mario outfit and, speaking Italian, asks a grocery store worker if she can have a mushroom. It’s a surprisingly silly turn from the typically dramatic actress, and it’s not even her only team-up with Nintendo, as she also stars in another delightfully cute 3DS commercial that sees her playing “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” and attracting the ire of a little girl.
Harrison Ford for Kirin
It appears that Harrison Ford is willing to take on diverse roles in Hollywood, even if they aren’t connected to “Star Wars.” This is suggested by his frequent visits to Japan to shoot commercials for various products. While some fans might remember Han Solo promoting the PlayStation 3 game “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception,” Ford was actually quite active in a series of ads for Kirin, a Japanese beer company, which he filmed back in the ’90s.
One of the quirky ads from Ford’s Kirin campaign showcases Ford lounging in a sauna with a Japanese man, daydreaming about quickly grabbing an icy cold beer and rushing out. In another straightforward ad, Ford grabs a Kirin bottle at the beach and is offered a corn-on-the-cob as a side. There’s also one that seems to allude to his adventures as Indiana Jones, as he tirelessly explores the jungle seeking his companion, only to discover that his Kirin beers are being pilfered instead.
Jennifer Lawrence for Burger King
Jennifer Lawrence made a big impact in Hollywood at a young age, getting her first Oscar nomination for the film “Winter’s Bone” when she was just 20 years old, and then winning the best actress award for “Silver Linings Playbook” two years later. From “The Hunger Games” to “No Hard Feelings,” Lawrence’s acting journey is nothing short of remarkable, but like many other actors, she began her career with roles in some rather cringeworthy commercials. One such commercial was for MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16,” where she portrayed a spoiled birthday girl and even earned herself a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card.
Nonetheless, one of Lawrence’s most perplexing advertising ventures was at the age of 14, when she appeared in a rather suggestive Burger King advertisement. In this ad, she portrayed a typical teenage girl inside a Whopper Jr.’s bedroom. She is told by Whopper Jr. that she can always “have it her way.” Their flirtatious interaction is cut short by the arrival of Whopper Sr., also dressed as a burger, who scolds his son for selling himself cheaply. After his father leaves, Whopper tells Lawrence, “Eat me.” This commercial would have been somewhat amusing – if not for the fact that the actors were minors. Regardless, it’s likely that Lawrence enjoys doing advertisements for fashion brands like Dior and Dolce Vita more.
Leonardo DiCaprio for Jim Beam
Throughout Leonardo DiCaprio’s illustrious acting career spanning many years, he has participated in numerous commercials. As a child and teenager, DiCaprio was featured in advertisements for Bubble Yum, Honda Civic, and Kraft Singles. Despite turning down several significant roles and enjoying global fame as a movie star, DiCaprio still occasionally agrees to endorse high-end products. He has even traveled to Japan to boost the popularity of various items with his celebrity status.
An illustration is Leo DiCaprio’s promotional work for Jim Beam whiskey, showcasing him diligently carving a massive ice block to fit into his compact whiskey tumbler. However, when patience ran thin, he merely snapped his fingers, causing the ice to crumble into drinkable crushed ice. It’s fortunate that DiCaprio’s use of an ice pick in this advertisement didn’t result in the same unfortunate injury as the glass-cutting incident in “Django Unchained,” which was shot just a short while before this commercial.
Sabrina Carpenter for Miracle Whip
2024 was undoubtedly Sabrina Carpenter’s shining moment, marked by hits like “Espresso” and “Please, Please, Please”, a sold-out “Short ‘n Sweet” tour, and Grammy nominations across all four major categories. Yet, it’s not sudden fame for Carpenter; she’s been honing her craft since her early years. As a teenager, she starred in the Disney Channel series “Girl Meets World”, and her debut album was released over a decade ago. Even if you’ve overlooked her past, you might have spotted her in Redken ads or promoting the Olympics more recently.
In addition to movies and TV shows that Sabrina Carpenter’s fans might not realize she was part of, her past also includes several commercial roles. One of these notable performances was at the tender age of 12, in a Miracle Whip advertisement. In this ad, an angry mob stormed up to a door, threatening to burn a bottle of Miracle Whip. When Carpenter opened the door, she confidently told the mob to “give it a try before jumping to such harsh conclusions,” and shut the door on them. Even at a young age, it’s clear that Carpenter was destined to become a pop sensation.
Eddie Murphy for Toyota Celica
It’s well-known that Eddie Murphy has been in some of the greatest films ever made, whether it be headlining classic comedies such as “Beverly Hills Cop” and “The Nutty Professor,” or voicing characters in animated hits like “Mulan” and “Shrek.” However, a lesser-known fact is that Murphy lent his voice and likeness to a series of commercials for Toyota in Japan. Intriguingly, it was revealed that Murphy personally owned a Toyota when one of the actor’s scandals brought this to the world’s attention.
Before internet broadcasts showed these commercials to audiences in the West, an incident involving Murphy and a sex worker in his Toyota SUV in Los Angeles had tarnished his reputation. Although no criminal charges were brought against him, it was clear that he held a fondness for Toyota beyond these Japan-exclusive advertisements. This new information might affect how some viewers perceive these ads, which show Murphy enthusiastically urging viewers to buy a Toyota Celica and even kissing the car’s hood, stating, “It’s almost as popular as I am.
Zendaya for Sears (with Selena Gomez)
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at Zendaya Coleman’s incredible journey from her humble beginnings to gracing the big screen in epic productions like “Dune” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Spider-Man” films. Yet, it was through her roles on Disney Channel that many of us first fell in love with her talent.
For viewers of the musical advertisement featuring Selena Gomez and other children advertising a back-to-school clothing range, it might be challenging to spot Zendaya. However, keep an eye out for the energetic dancer in the third performance segment. In an interview with J-14, Zendaya herself discussed the experience of filming the commercial, stating, “That commercial is quite amusing because it’s strange to think that later on – Ross [Lynch] and Leo Howard were also there – we were backup dancers, not even the main kids.
Brad Pitt for Pringles
Back in the day, even a star like me, Brad Pitt, wasn’t immune to taking any gig that came my way. I remember hopping on a plane to Japan for ad campaigns featuring designer jeans and energy drinks, but one of my most unexpected early career roles was hawking Pringles chips! Yes, you heard it right. The 80s commercial for this snack is so quirky and time-warped that it’ll either make you wince or chuckle at its sheer absurdity.
The advertisement focuses around a bunch of men without shirts at the beach, among them Brad Pitt, who are casually eating Pringles from cans and drawing the admiration of some fashionable women in bikinis, all of whom also appreciate Pringles. They all engage in suggestive partying while a tune promotes Pringles as a “fever reliever,” a claim that seems implausible given no scenes depict these attractive individuals struggling to retrieve the contents from the can. It could be that Pitt is not at all embarrassed about this early work, considering his openness about other unusual jobs he’s held, such as donning a chicken costume for the Mexican chain El Pollo Loco.
Meghan Markle for Tostitos
Meghan Markle, a globally recognized figure, gained A-list status not primarily through her acting career, which spanned seven years on “Suits.” Rather, it was her marriage to Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III, that propelled her into the British royal family as the Duchess of Sussex. This union brought her life under media scrutiny, both positively and negatively, yet it also showcased some of her earlier acting work, such as an amusing Tostitos commercial.
In the advertisement, Markle is seen browsing a grocery store for party essentials, hesitating between various chip brands, momentarily distracted by thoughts of ‘Gary’ she’d rather forget. Notably, she eventually picks out a bag of Tostitos Scoops. It’s astonishing to see how far the actress has progressed from this humble ad, but fortunately, as a member of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex no longer needs to buy her own potato chips, given that someone else likely takes care of procuring Tostitos for them.
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2024-12-03 00:30